Process and apparatus for warping and sizing of short warp threads



April 26, 1966 E. BALTZER 3,247,568 I PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR WARPING AND SIZING OF SHORT WARP THREADS Filed Dec. 27, 1963 4. Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig./ 13 37 I I6 [4 7 x I 3 2/ l I a i; i I5 w 9 1 a I l 3 /0 l 20 I7 3 I9 10 2 INVENTOR:

ERICH BALTZER BY his Afforne Apnl 26, 1966 E. BALTZER 3,247,568

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR WARPING AND SIZING OF SHORT WARP THREADS Filed Dec. 27, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ERICH BALTZER By M 0.

his ATfor-ney Apnl 26, 1966 E. BALTZER 3,247,568

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR WARPING AND SIZING 0F SHORT WARP THREADS Filed Dec. 27, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR. ER ICH BALTZER BY vf m m 0. if?

his Afforney United States Patent 3,247,568 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR WARPING AND SIZING OF SHORT WARP THREADS Erich Baltzer, Nordhorn, Postdamm, Germany, assignor to Hergeth K.G. Maschinenfabrik und Apparatebau Filed Dec. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 333,915 Claims priority, application Germany, Dec. 29, 1962,

H 47,846 19 Claims. (Cl. 28--22) This invention relates to a process and apparatus for warping and sizing of short warp threads, in particular, for the manufacture of fabric in multi-colored weaving.

In the known warping machines for short threads for weaving of a sample, the bobbins, mounted on a creel, are wound on the warping drum in one or more repeats depending on the number of availabe bobbins, and the reed guiding the threads is laterally displaced on a support with a small feed. The number of revolutions of the warping drum determines the desired length of the warp threads. Such a procedure is disadvantageous inasmuch as a certain minimum of bobbins is required for efficient.

warping of even the shortest sample warps. Moreover the down-times of the machine are very high in comparison with the operating time of the machine due to the frequent band attachments with the passing of the crosscords. Warps of single-ply yarn thus warped must, moreover, be sized after warping in a separate operation. In addition thereto, the thread remainingon the bobbins must, after warping, be rewound on larger bobbins. In view of the foregoing, it becomes apparent that the expense for the production of fabric samples with the known warping machines is considerable.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a process and apparatus for warping and sizing short warp threads in which the afore-described disadvantages have been eliminated.

Accordingly, the invention is characterized in that the threads of different color are wound successively in a single layer on winding elements, maintaining a predetermined transverse feed. The group of threads thus obtained, as an endless thread band is then unwound in a transverse direction and subjected to further treatment. Advantageously, the thread drawn from a bobbin is wound around the winding element in endless form by means of a thread guide, the thread being moved on the winding element and progressing thereon automatically in a transverse direction.

Such a measure has the advantage that a short warp can be warped practically with only one bobbin per color. This measure, therefore, afliords a considerable saving in working time and material. The production of thread groups with colors of the threads changing over predetermined widths of the total group for the production of fabric samples can be carried out efiiciently, so that the making of these samples is facilitated. The machine, forming part of this invention, which carries out the aforedescribed process is, however, comparatively quite simple in its design. I

When changing colors, the end of the Wound thread may be joined to the beginning of the new thread of different color in the usual manner, e.g. by knotting. The color changing arrangement of the threads can also be accompanied by having the end of the wound thread overlap with the beginning of the new thread of a different color. The latter arrangement also suffices to ensure the cohesion of the thread group.

The apparatus forming part of this invention is advantageously constructed so that the winding element cooperates with a thread guide device arrangement. The latter arrangement includes a thread guide which is movably mounted along the circumferential line of the winding device. This thread guide is removably mounted on the transport mechanism associated therewith. In addition thereto, a rotatable bobbin holder can be coupled with the thread guide arrangement so that each thread guide mounted thereon cooperates with the bobbin. These thread guides can be removed from their transport mechanism when, for example, a change of color of the thread to be wound takes place.

The winding element can be designed in various ways. Advantageously, the winding element comprises at least two spaced deflecting elements, which are mounted so that the distance therebetween is adjustable. The deflecting element may also be designed as a drum, the peripheral parts of which are radially adjustable. Further, each deflecting element is operatively associated with feeding elements that are displaceable in the direction of its longitudinal axis. The feeding elements themselves can be embodied in the form of belts or the like which are mounted around the peripheral surface of the deflecting element and which are movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the deflecting element.

As the thread is being wound around the winding elementwhich has deflecting and feed elements, each thread, being laid may simultaneously traverse threadcrossing and lease devices. In this manner the finished warp may contain automatically at the beginning and end a 1:1 lease for each, and also one or more partial bands for the separation of the individual colors.

After the warping, the thread group may be secured by gluing between the thread crosses and may then be divided. For this purpose a roll or the like is advantageously provided on which a belt or the like is wound and which can be rotated counter to the action of a spring. This belt is connected with one end to the divided thread group, e.g. by means of a clamping device. This belt serves as a take-up tensioning belt, by means of which the end of the thread group is held taut. In order that the thread group can be taken off the winding device without trouble, the winding elements are designed on the one hand fixable and on the other hand freely rotatably on the shaft.

The apparatus, forming part of the instant invention further provides an arrangement that permits the warp threads to be passed from the warp beam after the warping and during beaming, through a sizing and drying device attached to the machine. In this manner a rapidly produci'ble short warp is obtained. The apparatus, according to this invention, is advantageously so designed that warps from about four to thirty meters can be selectively made. This can be effectuated by means of the adjustability of the deflecting elements with respect to each other. positions produced by the machine forming part of this invention can be joined to form larger textile warps by manual knotting or by means of known knotting machines.

i The short-warp and sizing machine of this invention can be further perfected in that color sequence of the threads is controlled by means of electrical or mechanical devices, preferably by means of punched cards and/or counting devices.

An illustrative "embodiment of a machine construe-ted in accordance with the invention together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best'understood from the following description ofv specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plane view of the sample warp winding machine;

illustrated in FIG. 1; and

The various short warps of several color J FIG. 3 illustrates schematically an arrangement of the sample warp winding machine of this invention with the associated sizing, drying and beaming device.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the illustrated short warp warping machine comprises side frames 1 and 2 which are connected together by means of cross ties 3 and 4. Deflecting elements 5 and 6 comprise spoke wheels 7 which are rotatably mounted in the frame 1 and 2. Each pair of opposite spoke wheels 7 is connected together by means of a plurality of rails 8. Belts 9 are movably mounted over each one of the rails 8, the outer peripheral surface of the belts 9 providing the support for the thread to be wound. The ends of the belt 9 are connected on the inside of the rails 8 to a holder 10 which is threada'bly mounted on a threaded spindle 11. The spindle 11 is in turn mounted in a pair of opposite spoke wheels 7. The movement of the belts 9 in the direction of the arrow causes the transverse feed of the wound thread on the deflecting elements 5.

A conveyor device 12 is provided on one side of the frame which consists of parts 1 and 2. This device 12 may comprise an endless steel band 13 which revolves around the drive wheels 14. The drive of the endless steel band 13 is etfectuated by means of a friction wheel 16, arranged on the endless steel band 13 between the drive wheels 14, and which is connected to an electric motor 15. The two threaded spindles 11 of the deflecting elements 5 and 6 are interconnected by means of a common drive shaft 17, which is mounted at end bearings 18 and which has worm gears near each of its ends which engage respectively the end worm gears 19 of each threaded spindle 11. A stepping mechanism 20 serves to drive the threaded spindles 11 via the drive shaft 17. The conveyor device 12 is adapted to receive thread guide 21, which may be embodied in the form of tubules with trumpet-shaped ends. The aforedescribed tubules can be selectively connected to the travelling steel band 13 by suitable means, as for example, a shackle which spans the thread guide tubule. Alternatively, the thread guide 21 may be arranged to adhere magnetically to the steel band 13.

A rotatable bobbin holder 22 may be arranged at a suitable location on the machine. This bobbin holder 22 has a shaft 23 which is rotatably mounted in the frame 1. A thread guide tubule holder 24 is coaxially mounted with the bobbin holder 22 and is arranged between the latter and the frame 1. The thread guides 21a, b, c, aredetachalbly arranged on holder 24 in a similar manner as on the steel band 13. The holder 24 is located adjacent to the vertical tangential plane of the nearest drive wheel 14. A ring 25 is also coaxially mounted between the bobbin holder 22 and thread guide tubule holder 24. The ring 25 serves to guide the threads of the individual bobbins so that the theads are guided before they run to the thread guide tubules 21a, b, c,

. each of which has a built-in y-arn break.

Two spline shafts 26 and 27 are mounted in worm gear adapter sleeves 28 and are also engaged and driven by the drive shaft 17. The shafts 26 and 27 serve for the formation of the base and rotate 180 for each revolution of the thread.

- A roll 29 is rotatably mounted between the frames 1 and 2. A sufficiently long cloth web 38 is wound around the roll 29 so that the arrangement may serve as a tensioning belt for the take-up of the divided thread group. Roll 29 is equipped with a back-winding spring like a snap-roller, whereby the end of the thread group is caused to be held taut after division. The joining of the end of a divided thread group with the beginning of the cloth web wound on roll 29 may be effected by means of a suitable clamping device, e.g., a clip.

At one end of the machine frame there may be rotatably mounted in the frame parts 1 and 2 a winding spool 31 which canbe set in motion by means of the gear motor 32 and the V-belt drive 33. The spool 31 serves as a warp beam which takes up the warp or sample warp produced on the short-warp warping machine. A housing 34 may be arranged further in the frame of the machine. In the latter are housed the switching equipment and automatic controls for actuating the stepping mechanism 20. A feeler mechanism 35 serves to coordinate the movement of the thread guide 21 connected to the band 31 and of the stepping mechanism 20 for the drive of the threaded spindles 11 and of the shafts 26 and 27.

The sample warp winding machine, according to this invention, is fitted, for warping, with bobbin-s 36, 36a, b, c, which are mounted on the bobbin holder 22. A thread is wound on each bobbin, the bobbin having threads of different color. The threaded guide tubules 210, b, c, with threads from the bobbins 36, 36a, b c, already drawn in readiness therethrough, can be detached by means of a suitable control or by hand from the holder 24 and placed on the conveyor device 12, and specifically on the band 13. Such a thread guide tubule 21 revolves together with the belt 13. The thread drawn -olf the bobbin 36 leads through the thread guide tubule 21 to the deflecting elements 5 and 6. On the deflecting element which is located nearest the thread guide holder 24 there is advantageously mounted on adhesive tape 38 which is detacha'bly mounted on one of the feed belts 9. The end of the thread which runs through a guide thread tubule 21, is fastened to the adhesive tape 38. As the guide thread tubule 21 travels together with the belt 13, the thread is guided helically around the winding mechanism of the deflecting elements 5 and 6. During the winding operation, the drums 5 and 6 are stationary, and only the threaded spindles 11 can rotate. The feed belts 9 make an infinitely variable preselected advance with every thread revolution along the predetermined feed path, which may be, for example, 0.2 to 1 mm. After a number of threads corresponding to a sample have been warped by means of the aforedescribed manner, the thread guide tubule 21 is replaced by the following tubule which is mounted in readiness on the holder 24. This replacement can be done manually. Advantageously, however, this is done in a suitable manner automatically, in that suitable gripping organs carry out the taking off of one thread guide 21 from the belt 13 and the depositing of the other thread guide on this belt. The holder ring 24 and the belt 13 are mounted so close together that the exchanging of thread guides, i.e. the releasing on the one hand and the taking up on the other can be easily carried out by corresponding clamping and gripping devices. The arrangement may also be such that thread guide tubule 21 is fixedly mounted on the belt 13. In this case the thread guide tubules held in reserve are unnecessary and the new thread is introduced each time directly into the thread-guide tubule which is secured to the conveyor belt 13.

In the aforedescribed manner a number of threads corresponding to the sample are laid around the deflecting elements 5 and 6, and the already formed thread group is advanced in the axial feed direction by means of the automatic feed device 9, 10, 11. Thereafter addition-a1 warping with threads of different colors can be effectuated, until the desired number of threads and colors has been reached. The threads of different colors are wound successively on the deflecting elements 5 and 6. Simultaneously, during wind-ing, the threads also run through the thread-crossing and lease device 26, 27. The finished warp thus may receive at the beginning and at the end thereof a 1:1 cross-thread. Further the individual thread groups may be laid and tied as separate differentcolors in partial bands.

This tying together of the threads of different color may occur with the insertion of a knotting device. erally an overlap of the end of the wound thread with the beginning of the new thread over a certain length is suflicient. The thread group is secured by gluing between the leases, after the warping, and is then divided. The drums 5 and 6 are unlocked in order to draw off the finished warp. The threaded spindles are disengaged, so that they rotate with the drums 5 and 6. The end of the divided thread group is connected in a suitable manner, e.g. by means of .a clip with the cloth web 30 wound on roll 29, so that the threaded group end is held tau-t when drawing off the finished warp. When sizing of the thread group is not necessary, the finished warp can be beamed on the warp beam 31.

The distance between the deflecting elements 5 and 6 represents half the warp length. The distance between the deflecting elements is adjustable in that the outer deflecting element can be displaced because it is slidably mounted and is locked in its operative position in the frame parts '1 and 2. Advantageously the sample warp winding machine according to the invention can be adjusted to the maximum required length, e.g. up to about meters. For a smaller distance between the deflecting elements 5 and 6, the conveyor steel band 13 can be shortened accordingly or can be replaced with a new shorter band.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the sample warp winding machine 40 is arranged vertically with deflecting elements 5 in an upright position. A sizing bath 41 and a vertical drying device 42 are arranged between the beaming device 31a and the lower deflecting element 5. The drying device 42 includes electrical heating mean-s 43 and a fan 44 with an exhaust 45 superimposed on the device 42 through which the warp passes. The thread group which has been readied on the winding machine 40 is passed over the deflecting wheel 46 and through the sizing device. An impregnating cylinder 47, which immerses into the sizing bath 41 and which cooperates with a squeezing cylinder 48 sizes the thread group passing between cylinders 47 and 48. Thereafter the thread group is passed through the drying device 42 one or more times and beamed on the warp beam 31a.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention and appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A process for Warping of short warps in multicolor weaving, comprising the steps of winding successively in a single layer of threads of different groups on two winding elements, continuously maintaining a transverse feed on said winding elements during the winding operation, and transversely dividing said wound threads into separate endless thread group bands.

2. A process forwarping of short warps and the production of fabric samples in multicolor weaving comwinding said thread around a pair of winding elements thereby forming a thread group which is wound around said wind-ing elements, automatically continuously feeding said thread transversely on said winding elements 3. The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the color of the thread to be wound is changed by including the step of knotting the end of the wound thread having a first color with the beginning of the thread to be wound having a second color.

4. The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the color of the thread to be wound is changed by including the step of overlapping a predetermined distance the end of the wound thread having a first color with the beginning of the thread having a second color.

5. The process as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of passing said thread group bands through a sizing and drying device and then beaming said thread group bands on a warp beam.

6. In a warping machine adapted for short warp threads in multicolor weaving, comprising in combination, a pair of drums operatively mounted in said machine, continuous transverse thread feeding means operatively mounted on said pair of drums for continuously transversely feeding the thread during winding, thread winding and conveyor means mounted adjacent said pair of drums, an endless band mounted around said winding (and conveyor means, said band describing a path at least a portion of which is substantially parallel to the outer peripheries of said pair of drums, at least one thread guide detachably mounted on said band for guiding a thread around said pair of drums and said transverse thread feeding means.

7. A warping machine adapted for short warp threads in multi-color weaving, comprising in combination, at least two substantially parallel winding elements operatively mounted in said machine, transverse thread feeding means operatively mounted on said pair of winding elements for transversely feeding the thread on said winding elements during winding, thread winding and conveyor means mounted adjacent said pair of winding elements, an endless band mounted around said thread winding and conveyor means, said band describing a path at least a portion of which is substantially parallel to the outer peripheries of said winding elements, a bobbin holder mounted in said machine and operatively carrying a plurality of bobbins of thread, a thread guide holder mounted insaid machine adjacent to said bobbin holder and between the latter and said thread winding and conveyor means, a plurality of thread guides detachably supported on said thread guide holder, and at least one thread guide detachably mounted on said band, whereby a preselected thread of one of said plurality of bobbins is run through said thread guide which is mounted on said band and is wound by means of said thread guide and said thread winding and conveyor means on said winding elements.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein at least one of said pair of winding elements is adjustably mounted in said Warping machine so that the distance I therebetween can be adjusted.

9. The warping and sizing machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein each one of said pair of winding elements comprises a drum, and a plurality of longitudinal peripheral members radially adjustably mounted on said drum.

:10. The warping machine as set forth in claim 9, in-

cluding a transverse feeding belt operatively mounted on each one of said plurality of longitudinal peripheral members, said transverse feeding belts being movable in the axial direction of said drum.

'11. The warping machine as set forth in claim 10, including a threaded spindle axially mounted in each one of said pair of drums, and coupling means mounted on said spindle and connected to said transverse feeding belts for moving the latter in the transverse feed direction of said wound thread.

12. The warping machine as set forth in claim 7, including thread crossing means operatively mounted in said machine between said two winding elements.

13. The warping machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein said two winding elements are rotatably mounted in said machine, and locking means operatively mounted in said machine for locking said winding elements in a preselected position so that the latter are selectively fixedly mounted in said machine.

14. The warping machine as set forth in claim 7, in-

preselected thread group of wound threads on said winding elements.

15. The warping machine as set forth in claim 7, in

cluding sizing means operatively mounted adjacent said 7 7 8 v winding elements for sizing a thread group which had been l19. The combination as set forth in claim 6, including previously warped around said winding elements. a bobbin of thread operatively mounted in said machine 16. The warping machine as set forth in claim 15, adjacent to said thread winding and conveyor means, a wherein said sizing means comprise a pair of rotatable thread from said bobbin being directly guided through rollers biased against each other, a size bath filled with 5 said thread guide and thence to said pair of drums. impregnating liquid, one roller of said pair of rollers being immersed in said bath and said thread group passing References Cited y the Examine! between said pair of biased rollers, and drying and beaming UNITED STATES PATENTS means operatively mounted in said machine adjacent to S said bath for drying and beaming said thread group after 10 31m; "5 32 the latter has assed between said pair of biased rollers.

17. The wa r ping machine as set forth in claim 7, where- 3949230 8/1962 Van Scoy 24253 in said pair Of winding elements iS arranged horizontally. W. Primary Examiner" '18. The warping machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein said pair of winding elements is arranged vertically. 15 RIMRODT Asslstant Examine"- 

6. IN A WARPING MACHINE ADAPTED FOR SHORT WARP THREADS IN MULTICOLOR WEAVING, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A PAIR OF DRUMS OPERATUVELY MOUNTED IN SAID MACHINE, CONTINUOUS TRANSVERSE THREAD FEEDING MEANS OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ON SAID PAIR OF DRUMS FOR CONTINUOUSLY TRANSVERSELY FEEDING THE THREAD DURING WINDING, THREAD WINDING AND CONVEYOR MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID PAIR OF DRUMS, AN ENDLESS BAND MOUNTED AROUND SAID WINDING AND CONVEYOR MEANS, SAID BAND DESCRIBING A PATH AT LEAST A PORTION OF WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE OUTER PERIPHERIES OF SAID PAIR OF DRUMS, AT LEAST ONE THREAD GUIDE DETACHABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BAND FOR GUIDING A THREAD AROUND SAID PAIR OF DRUMS AND SAID TRANSVERSE THREAD FEEDING MEANS. 